Home > Yorkshire > Leeds > LS1 > White Swan White Swan

Picture source: John Norris

The White Swan was situated on Call Lane.

On 29 December 1972 a month after my 20th Birthday I went to the White Swan for the first time. I remember the pub was packed and we had found standing space next to the public phone, surveying all around with interest-or was it fascination? The cliental was certainly different from other pubs I had been in. Suddenly the phone rang. The bar staff were busy and the phone continued to ring. Supping partner answered “Yes, It’s the Mucky Duck” he shouted, he then turned, faced the crowd and bawled “Call for Big Shirley” seconds later Big Shirley emerged from the throng. “Thanks luv” said big Shirley as the receiver was snatched from Supping Partners grasp. The White Swan was a Tetley house, which the Brewery had acquired in May 1921. Externally the building was impressive with an ornate engraving of a White Swan and a date stone showing 1884. In the 1970s the pub was considered rough and reputed to be the haunt of dubious characters and prostitutes. Downstairs consisted of two rooms. The main bar area lounge was to the front of the building with a smaller room to the rear. Keg beer was served when we visited and ten years later cask was still. I have no records of having returned. I believe the Mucky Duck closed in the mid nineties. By 2002 the premises had reopened and were trading as BRB. In October 2014 the venue was the Black Swan and is currently operating as Cuckoo, which opened in May 2024. I wonder if Big Shirley goes there.

David Jameson, Beer Leeds magazine, Spring 2025

Do you have any anecdotes, historical information, updates or photos of this pub? Become a contributor by submitting them here. You can also make email contact with other ex-customers and landlords of this pub by adding your details to this page.